Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Ukraine, Yemen...Our neighborhoods. Our own hearts, the cradle of the peace or war we find around us.
Sweet Peace is a moving collection of international classical songs that celebrate peace or express the tragedy of war. The texts of this album span five previous centuries, yet the emotions expressed are entirely of our time: the joy of those reunited with loved ones at war's end, the anguish of a soldier's widow; an individual's desperate yearning for inner peace and the relief of one whom it has visited. "....sweet peace and consoling peace, that places a cool kiss upon all scars..., that descends upon the weary..." Georges Boutelleau
Will our human nature ever evolve to keep pace with our technical ability to destroy one another? Perhaps if it is our priority. Feel peace. Speak peace. Act peace. Pray for peace. And sing peace.
SONGS & SAMPLES
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Wanderers Nachtlied II
LIZA LEHMANN
Paix du Soir
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons
ARNOLD BAX
The White Peace
REYNALDO HAHN
La Douce Paix
GABRIEL FAURÉ
C'est la Paix
FRANCIS POULENC
Priez pour paix
NED ROREM
Poemes pour la paix
Lay
Ode
Sonnet
L'Hymne de la Paix
FRANZ LISZT
Wanderers Nachtlied I
RICHARD STRAUSS
Ruhe, meine Seele
HENRI DUPARC
Au pays ou se fait la guerre
HERBERT HOWELLS
When there is peace
LATVIAN TRADITIONAL
arr. Herbert Fromm
A young man was sent off to war
SLOVAKIAN TRADITIONAL
arr. Herbert Fromm
In the war my love has fallen
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
The Soldier's Wife
JOHN KANDER
A letter from Sullivan Ballou
Total playing time: 60:20
Michael Strauss studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and began his teaching career at the University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg, where he taught piano, chamber-music and was head vocal coach of the Opera Department.
As a performer, Mr. Strauss has been associated with the South African Broadcasting Company, appearing frequently as a soloist and accompanist on radio and television. He has also been the featured concerto soloist with the main orchestras of the country.
Mr. Strauss is active in the Boston area as a performer, accompanist, conductor and vocal coach. He has recorded with various chamber music ensembles for WGBH radio. He is an opera coach for the department of opera studies at New England Conservatory and is on the faculty of the Boston Conservatory
REVIEWS
"....thanks for your beautiful CD Sweet Peace. I love it."
-Frederica von Stade
"Thanks for the very beautiful CD....Your voice sounds accurate and expressive."
-Ned Rorem
"At a time when the peace of the world is once again threatened by the beating of war drums, it is the moment for the appearance on the music scene of a CD of international songs for peace. Ms. Stadtmueller brings to these songs a fine clear soprano voice, impeccable diction and a wonderful feel for the text she is singing. This connection with the text is what one looks for in the best recitalists and on this CD we are not disappointed. This is singing of a very high order. The artists have put together a collection of beautiful song for this CD, but one piece I found particularly poignant is "A Letter From Sullivan Ballou". Here is a soldier writing home to his wife on the eve of battle saying all the things we would imagine a soldier in such circumstances saying. It begins as a reading and then becomes a song by John Kander. Ms. Stadmueller's reading and singing here makes us feel the full range of the soldier's emotions. The art of the accompanist is a very special art indeed. Michael Strauss brings masterful sensitivity and a profound understanding of his art to these songs for peace. The soloist could not have wished for better. I heartily recommend this CD to all who love fine singing, first class playing of the piano, and who in their hearts hate war and yearn for peace."
-Thomas Lawlor for The Warwick
Beacon and The Cranston Herald
"Ms. Stadtmueller is a richly communicative singer, and her music making here is as strong and direct as the message of the works she presents. This is a lovely and a timely collection beautifully sung by an accomplished artist. It is not to be missed."
-Thomas Hinds, Music Director, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra